Marriott roots. Marriott International said Tuesday it intends to remain headquartered in Montgomery County, Maryland, and that its real estate search for a new corporate facility has been narrowed to the downtown Bethesda business district. Several sites in downtown Bethesda are still being considered and negotiations are ongoing. A final decision on a location is expected in the first half of 2017. However, pending successful site selection, lease negotiation, and finalization of all necessary agreements, permitting, and support from the State and County, it has not ruled out other locations.
Biggest MEA Element. Marriott International has announced plans to debut a 344-room Element Hotels in Egypt in early 2019. Located in Cairo’s upscale Heliopolis district and slated to be the largest Element Hotel in the Middle East and Africa, Element Cairo is being developed by Abraj Misr Urban Development and is owned by Middle East Real Estate for Development (MERED), an Egyptian limited liability company. Element Cairo will be part of The Gate Project.
Brand 14 for Fibra. Fibra Inn has completed the payment and acquisition of the 85-room Best Western Valle Real Hotel in Monterrey, Mexico, for Ps. 67 million (US$3.5 million), plus Ps. 3.7 million in taxes and expenses. The Best Western brand is the 14th global brand in Fibra Inn’s portfolio.